Helston will remain in division one west after Godolphin Way passes muster

Helston Athletic will start next season as a division one west club after Peninsula League secretary Phil Hiscox revealed that Godolphin Atlantic’s ground has been granted the premier division seal of approval.

The Gs were crowned division one west champions on Saturday after beating the Blues 3-2 at Kellaway Parc (match report page 67), but doubts were cast over whether the South West Peninsula League would allow them entry to the top tier due to their ground lacking the required facilities.

Had that been the case a second place finish would have been enough to secure promotion for the Blues.

Godolphin’s ground, Godolphin Way, currently has neither floodlights nor covered seating - both requirements for entry to the premier division.

But after the club secured planning permission from Newquay Town Council for the upgrades, the league appears poised to rubber stamp their entry to the top tier of Cornish football at a scheduled board meeting held in the first week of May.

“Our view has always been to allow the club up if they have plans to make all the improvements, which Godolphin do.”

He added: “The rating committee have visited each of the grounds and haven’t refused any of the five clubs who have applied for promotion, including Helston themselves. Once the club is in the premier division they have two seasons to carry out the work required to bring it up to the necessary standard.”

Helston manager Sid Taylor said he was disappointed, but wished Godolphin all the best for next season.

“Rules are rules, aren’t they. When you start the season you know only one team’s going to go up, and in a sense those rules are a good thing because they force clubs to improve their grounds.

“But take nothing away from them, they’ve had a massive climb up the league whereas we’ve taken our eye off the ball, losing those games against Porthleven and Dobwalls.”

Hiscox hinted that the league may consider allowing an extra team into the top flight by way of a playoff between the runners up in division one west, and division one east.

“It’s been unofficially discussed,” he said. “The fact that all the main clubs in both divisions have applied for promotion this season will probably cause that idea to gain some momentum.”